April 28, 2014

More than likely Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson has played his last game this season.

Suffering from a plantar fascia injury that occured in Game 1 of this best-of-seven playoff series against the Miami Heat, Jefferson wasn’t well enough to participate in any of morning shootaround. The Heat lead 3-0 with a chance to close out tonight.

Coach Steve Clifford sent out all the signals that playing Jefferson tonight might not make sense.

“He couldn’t do anything this morning. I would say it’s doubtful he’d be able to play,” Clifford said.

If Jefferson can’t play, Clifford said he would start Bismack Biyombo tonight. Biyombo has played a total of 15 minutes in the first three games of this series.

More than likely rookie Cody Zeller would inherit a majority of the minutes Jefferson normally plays.

Asked about his level of pain, Jefferson said, “This has been like stepping on nails. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”

Jefferson has clearly been the Bobcats’ Most Valuable Player this season, averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. He was central to the Bobcats more than doubling their win total this season and reaching the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.

“Regardless of what happens (tonight), this has been a wonderful season,” Jefferson said. “We need to continue to build and continue to get better.”

Comments

Great season Al. Get well and see ya next year. Go Hornets!

Posted by: Go Cats! | Apr 28, 2014 12:05:16 PM

Hendo and MKG need to gain some confidence and tell themselves that they are going to start playing like this is their team. Neal needs to stop being scared to shoot and Pargo needs to take Ridnours spot as backup pg. Pargo can flat out shoot. Tolliver should be seeing more time as well because he can shoot the 3 too. Resting Al and playing these different lineups could mess up Miamis game plan and push for a Game 5 where Al might be able to play.

Posted by: bb1130 | Apr 28, 2014 12:17:39 PM

At this point it's not worth playing big Al. He could over compensate and blow out his knee or some other terrible injury. As much as I hate to say it this series is over.

Posted by: Buzz City Ben | Apr 28, 2014 12:28:41 PM

Henderson need no confidence...he has reached his ceiling after five years in the league. He should be package with some expiring contract and send to the Bucks. Three areas of concern this team need to upgrade during the off season; PF, SG & SG. These areas need to be addressed for the cats to have any chance of ever beating Miami or Chicago. In three seasons, the cats had three picks of four players; Biyombo, Walker, MKG and Zeller. Walker is the only one that's a good pick, but the rest are waste of picks.

Jordan took this loose seriously as LeBron clearly eyed him en-route to that dunk in the second quarter and that should motivate him to again sign another quality player(s) of Jefferson's caliber. We as fans are tired of seeing this team loosing every year....we need a team that can win though much improvement this season. However, trying is not enough for fans anymore.

Henderson need no confidence...he has reached his ceiling after five years in the league. He should be package with some expiring contract and send to the Bucks. Three areas of concern this team need to upgrade during the off season; PF, SG & SG. These areas need to be addressed for the cats to have any chance of ever beating Miami or Chicago. In three seasons, the cats had three picks of four players; Biyombo, Walker, MKG and Zeller. Walker is the only one that's a good pick, but the rest are waste of picks.

Jordan took this lost seriously as LeBron clearly eyed him en-route to that dunk in the second quarter and that should motivate him to again sign another quality player(s) of Jefferson's caliber. We as fans are tired of seeing this team loosing every year....we need a team that can win though much improvement this season. However, trying is not enough for fans anymore.

I think this off season the Hornets will go after Lance Stevenson or Evan Turner I rather see them get Evan Turner since he can create his own shot. I think we need a back up point guard maybe bring back DJ Agustin just saying and we need to draft shooters then we will be good.

Posted by: Demetrious | Apr 28, 2014 12:49:44 PM

Yo, NASTAR99- caught your troll-post about MKG's low score in Game 3.

It clearly illustrated how you're a troll that knows nothing about basketball.

Allow me to explain, simpleton.

Basketball is a two-way game- and outside of a box score, there is this thing called 'defense'.

You got a guy who is barely 20 years old, guarding not only the best player in the league, but quite possibly the player of this generation, and will probably go down as one of the best to ever play.

It takes a lot of energy-

MKG is going to be just fine. I just hope it's in Charlotte.

Posted by: The Dude | Apr 28, 2014 12:49:44 PM

4 Key areas of need this summer:

- Upgrade the wing position (Would not mind renting Jeff Green for 2 years and play MKG at the 2)
- Reliable Back-up Center (Waive Haywood use Biz as 3rd Option)
- Upgrade the back-up PG (Sessions, Vazquez or Livingston would be great)
- 3PT Shooting (ideally through the draft as well as 3rd PG)

Posted by: RobC | Apr 28, 2014 12:53:39 PM

Hendo is horrible, always has been, always will be. Any trade of his is a positive for the Cats, no matter what the return. He has ZERO HEART.

Posted by: Truth | Apr 28, 2014 12:55:12 PM

....play MKG at the 2 "ala" Tony Allen, while Jeff Green will provide a huge scoring punch at the 3.

Jordan Hill would be a great "chep" option as a back-up Center. Great defender and rebounder and pretty decent offensive game.

Posted by: RobC | Apr 28, 2014 12:56:36 PM

Although both Evan Turner and Stephenson are statistically better than Henderson, realistically I don't think any will be a good fit. Stephenson will be out of reach, he will command almost $9-$10M and he is not worth that money anywhere outside of Indy.

Evan Turner I think is a liability both on defense and in the locker room. I hope I'm wrong, but I am not sold on Evan Turner. Philly needs a wing player desperatly, and still they traded him for basically nothing, they just wanted to get rid of him. That is not a good sign, if the Hornets go after him, I just hope I'm wrong a and that Clifford, Kemba and Jefferson can indeed set him straight being a team player and playing defense.

Posted by: RobC | Apr 28, 2014 1:02:51 PM

We need a great SG, SF or PF. Current players are good backups and maybe keep MKG but only if SG is a star

Posted by: Season Ticket holder for now | Apr 28, 2014 1:03:24 PM

Great season BigAl, much respect to you. Too bad had to end like this!

Posted by: DShtg!! | Apr 28, 2014 2:31:43 PM

We need to make additions, but we must be careful with our chemistry. Big Al, Kemba, they all talk about how much they like each other. Ask Indiana what happens when you mess with chemistry. And while we are improved, still not a free agent destination. We will need a creative trade to improve the team. We are still young. But with Washington, Cleveland, and others getting better, we have to keep up. And Atlanta will be better as well. We are in a tough division. Looking forward to the offseason.

Posted by: Alan | Apr 28, 2014 2:42:07 PM

Lol. There will be a big difference as usual in the wings production when Jefferson is not in the lineup . He's a serious ball hog . He'd be brilliant if he'd pass but can't seem to. Aldrige averages more but is a willing passer . Lilliard averages more and gets more assists at the rim along w being a good three ball shooter . But blame the wings or other players bc there's 2 ball hogs on the team , neither of whom play a lick of defense . Lol. Henderson averaged 20 points after the break . Mkgs production has gone down too from last yr . Even tho Jefferson got knocked for killing team play at each stop , it's the wings fault here . Ask Jerry Sloan or Deron Williams . Or some go look online at old posts at Boston , Minny and Utah . He kills man and ball movement . All he needs to do is to pass the ball when doubled . But he won't . And thinks coaches will reward him in picking him on the Allstar team . Lol.

Posted by: Iron man | Apr 28, 2014 3:28:33 PM

i would actually prefer jefferson didn't play. he plays, scores 40 and we lose....what did we gain?

biyombo plays and gains experience, it's a bit of silver lining going into the offseason - especially if he has a solid game.

i hope he, cody, mkg, and jeff taylor all play summer league again this summer. MKG could stand to sit it out, but i'd rather they have him out there as a focal point - go to guy to build up confidence.

as for acquisitions.....i wouldn't want stephenson or turner at this point really. I wanted turner this year so he would be restricted this summer as both a potential resign or as a sign and trade asset. he was given away for free. he could have been a better backup 1 than ridnour.

stephenson just seems to risky. he's an insane talent, but he just lacks a lot of the mental make up necessary to justify the price tag he'll surely come with. that 5 million increase to the cap and tax for next year will almost definitely keep him in indiana bariing something crazy in the next week or so.

i like hayward but i think he'll get overpaid. jeff green is decent, but he's not THAT much better than henderson. he's more willing to be a go-to type guy but i don't think he's good enough. MKG is way more talented (even offensively) inside the 3 pt line. and we've seen him make 3's before. just need to stop telling him how bad a shooter he is and let him shoot.

we need an elite wing scorer to pair with him OR we need a serious upgrade over kemba. outside of eric bledsoe, i don't see anybody that fits the bill and even he is going to get way overpaid.

we can send out as many as 4 1st round picks in a deal. there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to grab a serious talent or two from a team that's lost - cleveland, minnesota, toronto, denver, all have guys that don't fit their plans that could be great pickups. gallinari might even come WITH a pick as opposed to a pick going out. that kind of gamble could be what puts us over the top. bennett, love, waiters, etc.

i would love for them to grab a guy like austin rivers or tony wroten and see what happens when they actually get some playing time.

you guys are going to tell me how wrong I am, but I think seth curry deserves a go. 20/6 in the d-league this year on solid (not great) shooting numbers while going back and forth around the country. even better numbers in the playoffs. SOMEBODY is going to reap the benefits of giving him a chance, it would be awesome if it were us. for once.

mostly we just need to get our young guys better. zeller, mkg, and biz are all 21 and under going on 22 and under. a lot of room left to grow for all of them. this summer should be the year it happens. first time in his life biz will have the same coach for 2 years. first time since HS for mkg.

looking forward to tonight.

Posted by: charlottean | Apr 28, 2014 3:29:09 PM

Hurry up and stick a fork in these cats and bring back the HORNETS

Posted by: BUCKGUY | Apr 28, 2014 4:08:22 PM

^^^ grownups and mascots. awesome. i completely forgot you kids were making that happen.

Posted by: charlottean | Apr 28, 2014 4:25:30 PM

Tough way to go out for the Bobcats. However, given their luck it's almost fitting (sadly) that Jefferson can't play. Hats off to this team though. They exceeded everyone's expectations and made Charlotte proud!

Tonight M-CSS-KG shot his first 3-pointer since before the All-Star break and the Boob leg humping radio announce crew were so aghast they really didn't have words to describe it....was that bad, seriously!!

Clifford has a FAT EXTENSION coming this offseason....if Air Minimum want to keep him he better get out the checkbook!!!